Having not lost at home since November, Mthatha Bucks will be out to maintain that good home run when they lock horns with FC Cape Town in a must-win encounter at the Mthatha Stadium this afternoon.
Bucks captain Sibusiso “Phopho” Mapompo said his side were fighting for their lives to avoid the chop, with just five matches to play.
Maximum points for the home side will not be easy to come by against FC Cape Town, a side that have been in good form recently, conceded the Bucks skipper.
For Bucks, having suffered a 1-0 away defeat to Black Leopards last weekend, dropping points at home today is not an option.
Much will be expected from the home side, especially after their thrilling 3-0 win over Milano United in their previous match in their backyard a fortnight ago.
They will be expected to regain that firepower to increase their points tally, which is currently standing at 18.
Bucks’ frontline will be hoping to take advantage of their opponents’ leaky defence, which has let in 41 goals – the second worst defensive record thus far in the NFD season.
The likes of Thabiso Mokwena, Mapompo and forward Petrus Ngebo will be looking to lead the charge in this regard.
Mapompo knows this too well but said they were wary of the danger posed by their opponents.
“It is not going to be easy, mainly because FC Cape Town have been doing well recently,” he said.
“Not long ago they were staring relegation in the face but are now lying 10th, which proves that they mean business.”
The hosts will however not give them an inch of space to breathe.
“Our mission will be to attack and be on the front foot from the onset, and be more calm in their penalty box so as to get the goals we need to ensure three points remain in Mthatha,” said Mapompo.
The Cape Town side though are no pushovers, more so on the road having won two away matches in their previous three matches, losing at home only to relegation- threatened Moroka Swallows.
Currently four points clear of relegation in 14th place, Mapompo said Bucks’ mission was to increase that gap to at least seven points.
The rock-bottom Dube Birds travel to KwaNyamazane to meet Mbombela United, while African Warriors, currently lying 15th, are on the road to AmaZulu.
Warriors will fancy their chances against the Durban side, who fired head coach Steve Barker this week.
While the NFD relegation battle rages on, at the other end of the table, second-placed Highlands Parks could topple Baroka FC off the NFD summit should they win their encounter against Milano United today – an outcome that is highly possible if Milano’s recent poor run is anything to go by.
Baroka are off from their league duties this weekend as they are engaged in a Nedbank Cup last- eight Limpopo derby with Polokwane City tomorrow.
Third-placed Royal Eagles, five points behind Baroka, will be travelling to the Mother City to collide with Santos. — zingisam@dispatch.co.za
Bucks set for stormtroopers
Bucks captain Sibusiso “Phopho” Mapompo said his side were fighting for their lives to avoid the chop, with just five matches to play.
Maximum points for the home side will not be easy to come by against FC Cape Town, a side that have been in good form recently, conceded the Bucks skipper.
For Bucks, having suffered a 1-0 away defeat to Black Leopards last weekend, dropping points at home today is not an option.
Much will be expected from the home side, especially after their thrilling 3-0 win over Milano United in their previous match in their backyard a fortnight ago.
They will be expected to regain that firepower to increase their points tally, which is currently standing at 18.
Bucks’ frontline will be hoping to take advantage of their opponents’ leaky defence, which has let in 41 goals – the second worst defensive record thus far in the NFD season.
The likes of Thabiso Mokwena, Mapompo and forward Petrus Ngebo will be looking to lead the charge in this regard.
Mapompo knows this too well but said they were wary of the danger posed by their opponents.
“It is not going to be easy, mainly because FC Cape Town have been doing well recently,” he said.
“Not long ago they were staring relegation in the face but are now lying 10th, which proves that they mean business.”
The hosts will however not give them an inch of space to breathe.
“Our mission will be to attack and be on the front foot from the onset, and be more calm in their penalty box so as to get the goals we need to ensure three points remain in Mthatha,” said Mapompo.
The Cape Town side though are no pushovers, more so on the road having won two away matches in their previous three matches, losing at home only to relegation- threatened Moroka Swallows.
Currently four points clear of relegation in 14th place, Mapompo said Bucks’ mission was to increase that gap to at least seven points.
The rock-bottom Dube Birds travel to KwaNyamazane to meet Mbombela United, while African Warriors, currently lying 15th, are on the road to AmaZulu.
Warriors will fancy their chances against the Durban side, who fired head coach Steve Barker this week.
While the NFD relegation battle rages on, at the other end of the table, second-placed Highlands Parks could topple Baroka FC off the NFD summit should they win their encounter against Milano United today – an outcome that is highly possible if Milano’s recent poor run is anything to go by.
Baroka are off from their league duties this weekend as they are engaged in a Nedbank Cup last- eight Limpopo derby with Polokwane City tomorrow.
Third-placed Royal Eagles, five points behind Baroka, will be travelling to the Mother City to collide with Santos. — zingisam@dispatch.co.za
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